Natural Birth

So you wanna eat your placenta and you’ve heard all the great benefits of doing so. But you’re a bit confused on how to go about eating your placenta or much less preparing your placenta for consumption.

So I did you a favor…. You’re welcome.

I’ve listed some favorite placenta recipes that have come up time and again in my research for placenta recipes.

What is Natural Childbirth?

In short, natural childbirth is simply childbirth without any medical interventions which includes the use of epidurals, Pitocin, forceps vacuum extractions, cesareans (C-Sections) and any other unnatural process of delivering a baby.

Before the introduction of advance medicine and hospitals, childbirth was a natural process. Women would give birth at home without the need for any medical interventions. All that was needed was close friends and family or a birth doula to support and guide the mom to be through one of the most beautiful and fulfilling experience of her life.

Today, we strayed from natural labor and delivery primarily due to the introduction of modern medicine. Somehow we were duped in believing that birthing naturally was not the most favorable way to give birth. As a consequence of medicated birth came the use of many unnatural practices that led to longer labors, higher percentage of C- sections, less success for delivering successfully after a cesareans and an increase in postpartum depression.

However, recently lots of women have been opting to go the natural labor route especially with documentaries like “The Business of Being Born” by Ricki Lake which revealed the business like practices associated with birthing in the hospital setting.

One of the appeal of a medicated birth is the pain relief that comes from using an epidural. An epidural anesthetic is used to numb the area below the waist of the laboring woman which drastically reduces the discomfort associated with labor pain. However, introducing an epidural to reduce pain also dramatically reduced the physical sensation in that area and the ability of the women to be alert and in control of her body in order to effectively and naturally delivery her newborn. So the question then becomes: How do you manage natural childbirth pain?

Natural childbirth classes

Natural Childbirth classes can help with preparing the pregnant women to manage the pain that comes with a natural delivery. These classes teaches parents how to use natural childbirth methods and techniques to overcome the pain or manage the pain that comes with natural labor. These can include breathing techniques massages, hydrotherapy, acupressure and hypnotherapy There are a variety of natural childbirth methods you can use which will ultimately dictate the kind of class you choose to enroll in. Some of the more popular childbirth classes include The Bradley Method, Lamaze, Hypnobirthing and the Alexander Technique It all depends on what feels is right for you.

What are the benefits of a Natural Birth?

Now that you know a little background what are the benefits of having a natural childbirth? Benefits of natural childbirth are many. Studies show that having birth naturally shortens labor, reduces the need for cesareans, the newborn is more likely to breastfeed due to him/her being more alert, mom and baby are healthier i.e possible reduction of neurological problems for baby. Shorter recovery time for the new mom. Lots of new moms experience a euphoric feeling, which is caused by the release of endorphin in the body during natural labor. Greater connection between mom and baby – medicine during labor tends to numb the mom’s senses which leads to a physical detachment from the birthing process and hence the newborn. And of course the empowerment the new mom has to have delivered her baby naturally.

What ever you decide to do, remember it’s your birth. There will be cases where you may have to have a medicated birth. You should consult your partner and doctor to make sure that a natural birth is both safe for you and your baby.

What is HypnoBirthing and how would it help me?

Just imagine childbirth without fear and birthing with a deep sense of relaxation, trust, and joy. This is the philosophy of HypnoBirthing® the Mongan Method, a natural childbirth education course, which prepares women for easier, more comfortable birth. Unlike other childbirth education classes, HypnoBirthing focuses on the mind-body connection.

The premise of HypnoBirthing® is that fear and tension cause pain in childbirth (and often unnecessary intervention and complication); therefore, if we can eliminate the fear and instead approach birth with confidence and joy, then our birthing experience will be easier and safer. We use hypnosis in birthing to remain relazed and calm so that are bodies are able to birth as nature intended, uninterrupted.

With deep relaxation, our body releases endorphins, a natural anesthesia, which always us to birth more comfortably, and sometimes without any pain at all. In this course you will learn about the power of the mind-body connection, deep relaxation / hypnotic techniques, and how to best prepare for labor, delivery, and the postpartum period.

You will leave this course feeling fully educated, emotionally empowered, and equipped with many techniques to keep you calm and in control during labor and delivery.

The Bradley Method is popular among couples that take a proactive approach to natural labor. Robert Bradley, an American obstetrician, created the method in the 1940s. At the center of it, is the birthing process as a natural and enjoyable experience without unnecessary interventions and drugs.

It is a unique, 12-week program, taught by a certified Bradley Method instructor. The Bradley Method attributes its success to small classes (up to 8 couples), individual attention and lots of practice time. The Bradley Mothed approach to natural childbirth is based on the labor physiology. According the Bradley Method website, the method boasts an almost 90 percent success rate of “spontaneous, unmedicated vaginal births”.

How can couples benefit from the Bradley Method?

The Bradley Method distinctive feature is the presence of a birth coach. Coaches (husbands, partners) provide essential physical, emotional and informational support to the mother in labor. The Bradley Method comprehensive instruction covers:

relaxation techniques

stages of labor and best ways to handle them

birth rehearsals

labor positions

natural ways to reduce pain

other ways to help the mother stay healthy and low risk

It even covers accidental, unassisted births. Coaches also advocate for the mothers in labor, so that they can focus on the birthing process.

How is the Bradley Method different from others?

The Bradley Method distinguishes itself from other birthing classes by providing information about everything a couple needs for a natural unmedicated birth. Their extensive 130-page workbook contains information on:

nutrition

prenatal exercises

doulas

possible complications

avoiding unnecessary Cesarian, episiotomy and tears

postpartum care

breast feeding

contains sample birth plans and a certificate of congratulations

The Bradley Method certified instructors have been trained buy the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth and undergo continuous training.

Call the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth — the organization that Bradley founded to disseminate information about his method — at (800) 422-4784 or visit the group’s website to get a list of instructors certified in the Bradley Method who practice in your area.

You might be among the many women asking yourself this question. Why should I eat my placenta? Eating your placenta also known as placentophagy offers numerous benefits. The placenta is rich in nutrients and natural hormones that help you recover more smoothly after birth.

There are many ways in which you can eat your placenta. It can be encapsulated, eaten raw or cooked.

You should consume your placenta within 3 days, or if it is frozen (double-bagged to prevent freezer burn), 6 months.

Eating raw placenta. Many women prefer this method since the nutrients are not lost due to cooking. Raw placenta is prized for its rich iron supplies as well.

You can make a placenta smoothie, or just cut a few pieces off it with a knife and eat. In the latter case, you will not eat the whole placenta in one day, but rather over a period of a few days.

Placenta Smoothie. There are many placenta recipes out there. The ingredients mostly include your choice of fruit, like bananas, strawberries, blueberries, etc., vegetables such as spinach, nut butter of your choice and some amount of a placenta, of course. The amount of placenta varies from an inch sized piece to about a cup of cubed placenta. Also, just add some milk (dairy or not), or fruit juice, or water, a few ice cubes and a little bit of natural sweetener if you so desire. Some people recommend blending a placenta with vegetable juice blend such as V8 to avoid funny taste or texture. Here is a sample recipe:

Placenta Smoothie Recipe

2 cups of frozen strawberries

1 banana

4 to 5 ice cubes

2 cups of organic berry juice or nut milk

1 cup of cubed placenta meat

1 table spoon of honey or maple syrup

Blend the frozen berries and the banana first, then add ice cubes, juice and honey. Blend in the placenta at the end. The whole placenta will yield about 4 smoothies in which you can consume one a day.

Here is a new mom’s version of the placenta smoothie:

Cooking placenta. There are many placenta recipes. Many people saute it like liver, make lasagna, stew, pizza, spaghetti, roast or even a sandwich. In these recipes, placenta mostly replaces beef or liver.

What is Placenta Encapsulation and why is that the new thing in Natural Birthing?

It has become very common nowadays for women to consume their placenta after delivery. Even some celebrities have joined the trend. Recently, Holly Madison has been quoted by E! website saying that she would have her placenta made into pills.

Placenta eating is not uncommon, at least not in nature. Many mammals do it immediately after birth. It gives them the much needed nutrition after such a laborious process. When I was a child, I witnessed my cat eat hers after giving birth to her kittens in our garage. But here is how eating your placenta can help you:

Fight baby blues and postpartum depression

Increase milk supply

Feel more energetic after birth

Lessen postpartum bleeding

Increase your iron supplies

Sleep better

Decrease postpartum “night sweats”

The reasons for these benefits are plentiful, since your placenta is rich in the most amazing hormones catered to each woman personally and with no side effects:

When is eating your placenta possible? It’s a matter of simply asking your midwife to keep it, when you deliver at home or a birthing center. When delivering in a hospital, if the hospital’s policy allows it, special arrangements have to be made prior to birth. In many hospitals, it is considered medical waste and you are not allowed to keep it. If hiring a professional, you need to notify them as soon as you give birth, so that he or she can come and pick up your placenta promptly. Very often, placenta encapsulation specialists will know the procedures of dealing with hospitals regarding this matter.

There are a few ways to consume your placenta. You can actually eat it raw by making a placenta smoothie. It is believed to have most nutrients that way, since they are not destroyed by using heat. Also, you can cook it like liver and eat it.

Another way, on which we will focus in this article, is making placenta pills and taking them every day following your birth. Now, you can have your placenta encapsulated by someone locally or even from Etsy.com. It will typically cost you from fifty to a couple of hundred dollars. The alternative is doing it yourself. Below, are the directions on how to do it.

You should encapsulate your placenta within 3 days if it is stored in the fridge or if it is frozen (double-bagged to prevent freezer burn), 6 months.

Placenta Encapsulation Instructions

1. Wash the placenta under cold water. Remove all the blood clots. Warning: don’t use soap!

2. Place the placenta on the cutting board, remove the cord at base. From here you can go in two different directions. You can cut up the placenta thinly and cook it in the dehydrator raw. Follow the dehydrator instructions for making meat jerky. If you do not want to use the raw method, steam it first. The cooked method is also known as the traditional Chinese method.

3. To steam the placenta, wrap the placenta membrane fetal side around the placenta into a ball. Add lemon and ginger into the water. Steam on medium heat for about 15 minutes on each side. Poke holes with a knife or fork to bleed the placenta. It will shrink considerably. Once it is done, slice it as thinly as possible, about 1″ thick. Make sure all the slices are uniform.

4. Put wax paper sheets on the dehydrator trays. Cook the placenta strips on the “meat” setting according to instructions (usually for 6 to 8 hours).

5. Grind placenta strips in a strong grinder. It might help to break the pieces up before grinding to avoid breaking the grinder.

6. Fill the capsules with placenta powder. You can use a machine (it is possible to buy it together with your capsules) or by hand. Pour the capsules into a storage jar.

7. Refrigerate your capsules. They keep in the fridge indefinitely. Take 3 capsules a day or more during the first two weeks. After that, you can reduce the amount. If you need an energy boost, or to increase your milk supply, take more. Some suggest that capsules can even be frozen and taken during menopause as natural hormones.

What is a Birth Doula?

The word “doula” is a Greek word meaning “a woman servant”. For centuries women have been helping other women in labor. Before doula emerged as a separate profession, her role usually played a woman who has already had children of her own and therefore, had experience in labor (especially natural birth) and breastfeeding. These friendly mothers would encourage the laboring woman, massage her, hold her hand, take care of her older children and even her husband if need be, since it is very common for the father or older siblings to be present in the setting of natural labor. After the baby was born, they would provide breastfeeding support, help with recovery and ease her into motherhood.

Every new mother knows how daunting and stressful a pregnancy and postpartum period can be without skilled outside help. So, no wonder that nowadays doulas exist as professionally trained and experienced helpers indispensable for new moms. Also known as labor support doulas, they provide continuous informational, emotional and physical support before, during and immediately after birth, or provide practical and emotional support during postpartum period. Studies show that the presence of a doula can cut down cesarean rates, reduce the need of medical interventions and overall increase the chance of natural labor. Women who use doulas usually have shorter, less painful labors, bond better with their newborns, recover faster after birth and breastfeed more easily. Read more on the benefits of having a doula here.

A doula is also a very important and skillful mediator between the laboring woman and her husband and the medical team.

Very often, fully immersed in the labor process, the parents cannot adequately communicate with the medical team and fully estimate the consequences of all the medical interventions suggested to them. A birth doula, being familiar with different medical procedures and interventions as well as with the mother’s birth plan and of course, having her interests at heart, can successfully carry out the communication between the parents and the medical professionals without interrupting the labor process. Some parents describe a doula is an invisible person who knows when to step into action and ease the pain or protect the interests of the mother and the baby and vanish into the background when necessary. Regardless of where your birth takes places, at home, a birthing center or a hospital, a doula can offer her knowledge in the physiology of birth and breastfeeding, relaxation and breathing techniques, various birthing positions and kind of words of encouragement.